SOLID PERFORMANCE: The Walt Disney Co.'s stock is up 35 percent so far this year, outpacing its media company rivals.
THE REASON: Analysts believe Disney can offer steady growth and safety as the economy heads into murkier territory. That's because the company has protection against a possible ad slump: The increasing fees it charges distributors of its TV channels like ESPN and ABC.
EARNINGS GROWTH: Disney's earnings are growing and are expected to rise from $2.54 in per-share annual profits through September 2011 to $3.48 in fiscal 2013.